If you want your child to avoid risky online sexual behaviour and use the internet safely, a digital safety plan can help. Your child needs to feel that it is theirs, but you should develop it together.
What works will depend on things like:
- the behaviour you’re worried about
- reasons for wanting to change
- how openly you can communicate with your child
Simple things that you and your child could try
- Change the settings on your child’s social media accounts so they’re as private as possible. Childline have tips on how to protect their privacy online.
- Discuss how they can be cautious about who they talk to online and what information they share about themselves.
- Think about what apps and websites they use and delete or block any that aren’t safe or appropriate.
- Suggest that your child only goes online when there is someone else in the room and that they keep devices out of their bedroom.
- Work out what times they’re more likely to do something harmful online and suggest other things to do or to leave their devices somewhere else.
- Help them write a list of reasons they want to stop their harmful online behaviour and keep it somewhere they can look at it when they’re feeling tempted, like on their phone background or next to the computer.
We can help you
The experienced advisors on our confidential Stop It Now helpline (0808 1000 900) can help talk things through. You can stay anonymous and don’t have to give your real name, location or any contact details. If you’re not ready to speak to anyone yet, you can also use our live chat or send a secure email.
